[4748] in linux-announce channel archive
Linux-Announce Digest #41
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Digestifier)
Sat Feb 12 18:13:07 2005
From: Digestifier <Linux-Announce-Request@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu>
To: Linux-Announce@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu
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Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 18:13:04 EST
Linux-Announce Digest #41, Volume #5 Sat, 12 Feb 2005 18:13:04 EST
Contents:
INDIA-NEWS: Pune open source code to Red Hat ("Frederick Noronha (FN)")
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Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 16:48:49 CST
From: "Frederick Noronha (FN)" <fred@bytesforall.org>
Subject: INDIA-NEWS: Pune open source code to Red Hat
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=116833
Pune opens source code to Red Hat Linux promoters place $3 million bet in
India with global engineering centre. Express News Service
Pune, February 7: ON Monday, Pune's software community opened up its creative
vistas further when it welcomed the open source leader, Red Hat, to establish a
global engineering and support centre. With its ''free'' software Linux, Red
Hat's $3 million centre will be core to its development work.
And when it comes from Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mathew Szulik,
there is hardly any doubt as to where India centre stands in Red Hat's global
plans. ''Pune centre will do strategic engineering work (for further evolution
of Linux). The centre will develop new products in storage, systems and network
management,'' Szulik said, adding the present headcount of 30 will be ramped up
to 150 soon.
Not just that, the engineering centre will also address the support
requirements of the growing Linux customer base in India and other
English-speaking markets.
Given the fact that Linux is the mantra for those opposed to proprietary
software Microsoft, Szulik must have surely weighed all options before
narrowing down on Pune. Sure, said Szulik, who divulged that Pune has the
highest Linux awareness in India and a big pool of professionals trained in the
open source technology. ''It's the vibrant workforce, well-versed with Linux
applications, that made us select Pune to innovate,'' he said.
Szulik said Red Hat had increased its India focus since the government,
educational institutions and private industry had embraced Linux quite openly.
Moreover, large enterprises like Infosys and Tatas have been doing lots of
projects around Linux, he said.
''President Kalam told me last year that open source architecture of Linux
suits India's need to disseminate education to the masses at low cost. Linux
supports Kalam's Vision 2020,'' he said.
Up, close and personal, Szulik said Red Hat preferred the BRIC (Brazil, Russia,
India and China) markets, which had low penetration of proprietary software,
but a skilled workforce with need of low-cost technology. ''Low installed base
of proprietary software makes it easier to propogate open source software and
application,'' Szulik said.
The government's favourable disposition to Linux is evident as the company is
already in talks with Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West
Bengal governments apart from the Centre. And with Minister of State in Prime
Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan being present at the inauguration, it
underlined the premium being given to the fundamental of 'Choice'.
And with a view of broadbasing applications and making Linux a habit among
youngsters, Red Hat, like competitor Microsoft, has also taken up projects to
make it a household name. ''Red Hat in association with IIT-Mumbai has offered
scholarships to 1,500 students to train in Linux architecture and
applications,'' India pointsman Javed Tapia said.
Tapia said from the next academic session, the scholarship would be given to
8,000 students countrywide. ''The idea is to develop open source skills at the
college level itself,'' he said.
And yes, business has definitely grown in the last five years. But in spite of
having a 30 per cent market share in enterprise servers, Tapia feels there are
some thorny issues that need to be sorted out before Linux occupies the
mindspace in desktop segment. ''Just give us some time, the domination will
surely end,'' he said as a parting shot.
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